I am going to propose something that I don't think has been done before. This will be long.

Being from upstate New York, driving to the Northwest for a weekend event is highly unlikely.

I do intend on going to the Saab Owners Convention this year.

I have been driving classic 900 Saab turbos since 1985. I had no idea that the "Saab Community" existed until 1999. I heard about the Owners Convention that was going to be held in Hilton Head far enough in advance to attend, but decided not to go. What a mistake. The next year the convention was held the closest to my house ever, in Kerhonkson New York. I did go to this event and it blew me away, it was unbelievable!

The 2001 convention was held in Vero Beach Florida. I flew to this event, as I will to the Northwest. I drove to the event in Ohio in 2002 and to Hershey PA in 2003.

What I am proposing is to the Saab enthusiasts from the Northwest. What I would like to do is set up a reciprocating arrangement to let someone from the Northwest use one of my classic 900 5-speed turbos for an entire event to be held in the future in the Northeast in exchange for them letting me use one of their similar cars at the SOC 04 event. Details would need to be worked out between myself and anyone that would be able to provide a car. I have always wanted to arrange to bring more than one of my cars to the events, but I can only drive one at a time. This would allow me to show more than one of my cars and provide an avenue for someone from the Left coast to come to an East coast event and drive a Saab turbo.

So what do you think of my proposal? Anyone interested?

Jon1

with many classic 900 turbos

Diggler

24th December 2003, 10:32 PM

From the president of NWSOC looks like Aug 20-22.
-Dirk

jimmythefly

24th December 2003, 11:04 PM

Allright, one up in my neck of the woods! That date might even work for me, though Aug. 27-29 would definitely work.

Jon1, I wish I had enough Saabs to be able to loan one out! Great idea.

I just joined the NWSOC email discussion list, and am about to join the club so I'll float the idea there if no one beats me to it. Are there any SC folks here who are already members? I get the impression most folks near me frequent saabnet.

My secret plan is to save money until the event, then go shopping for a mint turbo 99 or SPG.

SteveL

26th December 2003, 01:30 PM

For us out East - we'll have to set up a cross country Saab caravan to head out there.

Diggler

26th December 2003, 02:22 PM

That's a good idea if you know most or atleast some of the people. I've done several around New England alone and they can be very bad! Several problems we've seen before:

1) Mechanicals-people don't always get a mechanic to look over their car before making said trip

2) Speed-many people like to drive fast-some people like to drive slow, you can only go as fast as your slowest SAAB

3) Communication-2 way radios and cell phones, unbelievable that everyone doesn't have them on a Caravan but hey it happens.

If you do it, I would highly recommend 2 groups with a mechanic in each. Spare belts etc. If you have more than 1 radio bring it, as others will not have them!

-Dirk

Taylor

26th December 2003, 06:46 PM

I totally agree with what Diggler says!

I drove out to OH from PA for the 02 SOC and man, we needed ALL of those things.

1> Definatly have your car checked before you go! Mine was slightly over heating and it turned out the water pump was on the way out, so I had it replaced. Imagine if that would have got toasted on the way out... $$$

2> A mechanic in the group is such a handy idea!!! We had about 2 cars almost die on us on the way out there. The temperature had to be 110 in the shade, and on an engine that had been running for 7 hours, even hotter. Jeff Proposki (viggen blue SPG owner) took control and fixed the cars in need like a pro. He put on extra belts he had, used his full tool kit to fix some other things, etc. I still don't know how he did it so quick in that heat!

3> Those radios were such a help! At times we were cruising at 90 in a 65 and the leader of the pack would readio back that he sees a cop ahead, everyone slows down to legal speeds. And most importantly, at one point the leader just said "screeching halt, brake brake!!", I hit my 4 ways, and started to brake, and no more than a few seconds later, traffic went from 70 mph to ZERO. SAABs were screeching into place behind me, quite scary. Saved us thousands and thousands I'm sure, lol!

Anyway, good luck -- I'll probably fly and leave my car behind ) :

Taylor

jimmythefly

19th February 2004, 05:12 PM

And to get in the right frame of mind:
http://www.iownjoo.com/freeimghost/jimmythefly/Lena%20at%20Chinook%20pass%202.JPG
At chinook pass, on hwy 410 down the road a bit from Crystal Mountain.

http://www.iownjoo.com/freeimghost/jimmythefly/lenawatercrossing2.JPG
More fun on the Forest Service roads.

AeroMax

21st April 2004, 04:02 PM

Unfortunately, I don't thiknk my summer classes will be over by then. I could fly to seattle where my parent's live and steal my mom's aero. :D

dljpdx

22nd August 2004, 02:55 AM

posted this already in c900 - maybe better served being posted here:

http://www.cheeky.vg/saabconv/saabconv.htm

-daniel

Simon

23rd August 2004, 03:50 PM

Did anyone go?

Jon1

24th August 2004, 08:03 PM

http://saabpics.org:3000/gallery/album302

I arrived Wednesday night at a little after 1:00 am and there were already at least 20 Saabs, mostly older models in the parking lot. I didn't drive any of my Saabs, I flew into Seattle from New York. In the morning I headed back down to Buzzy's Greenwater Cafe for some breakfast, about 30 miles. When I returned up route 410 and turned onto Crystal Mountain Boulevard I was following a 78 99 Turbo, the first Saab that I had seen on the road. The weather was sunny and warm on Thursday and Friday, with some clouds on Saturday and finally we got rain on Saturday night.

I got to meet many of the people who's names I have seen here and got to see their cars for the first time. There was everything from a 1955 Saab 92 to a 2004 9-3 Diesel. I had a very good time, even without my Saabs. The people and the cars were great, the seminars were informative, the food was good and the scenery was beautiful. I am very pleased to have made the trip. Here are the photos that I took, enjoy them.

Jon
jon1.

finklejag

24th August 2004, 09:01 PM

Thanks for the pics. This guy was selling his car for $10K earlier this year.

http://saabpics.org:3000/albums/album302/P0012626.sized.jpg

Jon1

29th August 2004, 10:09 PM

http://www.nysoc.com/gallery/album80

Same pictures as on Saabpics, well almost, without any description/text.

When Saabpics is "down", like when I posted this.

Jon
jon1..

BTW, I never was able to make arrangements with anyone from the Northwest to use one of my cars for a future event in the Northeast in exchange for using one of their cars for SOC 04.